Mechanism for reproducing layouts of modified dimensions



March 3, 1970 L. E. SAUER T 1 3,498,716

MECHANISM FOR REPRODUCING LAYOUTS OF MODIFIED DIMENSIONS Filed Jan. 27, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 c 42 9J1! I m NToRS:

I 147 Lou/s E.5AuE 100 142 ORV/LLE C. MILLER,

\ L. E. SAUER ETA].

March 3, 1970 MECHANISM FOR REPRODUCING LAYOUTS OF MODIFIED DIMENSIONS Filed Jan. 27, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 lA/l/ENTORS Lou/.5 E. 5405 A, 01? V/LLE c. MILLER,

March 3, 1970 I 1.. E. SAUER ETA!- 3,498,716

MECHANISM FOR REPRODUCING LAYOUTS 0F MODIFIED DIMENSIONS Filed Jam-2.7, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Lou/6 E. SAL/ER,

ORV/LLE C. MILLER,

March 3, 1970" E. SAUER L MECHANISM FOR REPRODUCING LAYQUTS OF MODIFIED DIMENSIONS 6 Sheets-Sheet '4 Filed Jan. 27, 1967 INVENTORS: Lou/s 5.5AUER, 54 ORV/LLE C.M/LLER,

flr-rozmffs March 3, 1970 E. SAUER A!- MECHANISM FOR REPRODUGING LAYOUTS OF MODIFIED DIMENSIONS 6 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 27, 1967 186 IN l/ENTOR5= Lou/s E. SAL/ER. ORV/LLE 6. M L 2,

March 3, 1970 s u ETAL 3,498,716

MECHANISM FOR REPRODUCING LAYOUTS OF MODIFIED DIMENSIONS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 27. 1967 OPENING NARROW TRACING PAPER WEIGHT W R M fi m m a c MR A TE M m mp M 0 s M a +m+ w 1 l a L w a R fl E M c i D5 o k v ADHESIVE TAPE 42 FRONT 9f CQQSSBAE P NSR TOR o ASSEMBL United States Patent 3,498,716 MECHANISM FOR REPRODUCING LAYOUTS 0F MODIFIED DIMENSIONS Louis E. Sauer and Orville C. Miller, St. Louis, Mo., as-

signors to Centenary Central, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a

corporation of Missouri Filed Jan. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 612,138 Int. Cl. G03b 27/10 US. Cl. 355-84 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for accurately shortening or lengthening a copy of a drawing layout in one direction. One embodiment of such machine includes a table structure supporting an adjustable compensator, the setting of which determines the speed difierential between layout and light sensitive printing paper. Rotatably supported on the front end of the table is a drum assembly to receive the printing paper thereon. The compensator assembly includes lead, middle and trailing transverse tandem bars spaced apart in the direction of movement, the trailing bar being adapted to receive an edge of the layout for moving over and relative to the printing paper.

The present invention relates generally to the rotary die-cutting and asociated use arts, and is more particularly concerned with a novel mechanism for and a novel method of making a layout or die pattern on or for a rule mounting arcuate support which is shortened or lengthened in' one direction. Novel hole drilling means is incorporated therewith.

There has long existed, particularly in the rotary diecutting art and in some related arts the need of a simple, accurate and effective method of and mechanism for achieving shortening of a cutting layout in the direction of rotation. No problem exists in flat die-cutting, since the support for and the cutting edges of the rules or knives or the like are in the same planes of movement and follow the same lines. However, in rotary die-cutting, the effective cutting radius of the cutting rules or knives is greater than the radius of the rule or knife support, since, obviously, the cutting rules or knives must extend outwardly from the supporting surface in order to penetrate the material being cut. Hence, it is necessary to initially shorten the rule layout circumferentially so that the cutting edges of the rules may reflect and follow the desired pattern to be cut thereby. This has been a long recognized problem, but the methods and machines heretofore employed have been and are time consuming, expensive, and sometimes inaccurate.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and a machine for satisfying the said long-felt need. Novel drilling mechanism is included.

In brief, the present novel method of achieving accurate shortening or lengthening of a drawing layout in one direction comprises moving a drawing or tracing and a sheet of printing paper in superposed relation and at predetermined different speeds past a suitable light source, or other means effective to transfer the layout to the printing paper. When the speed of the layout is faster than the printing paper, the layout is shortened on the printing paper. When the speed of the layout is slower than the printing paper, the layout is lengthened on the printing paper. The novel layout printing machine for effecting the foregoing method exemplifying one preferred embodiment shown and described herein includes a suitable table on which is disposed an adjustable compensator assembly, the setting of which determines the speed differential between drawing and printing paper. Rotatably supported at the forward edge of the table is a drum assembly for receiving arcuate plywood supports for receiving printing paper on which the circumferentially shortened layout will be printed for subsequent sawing of the support in the required pattern to receive cutting rules or knives. Mounted above the drum assembly for swinging movement into and out of operative positions are a light assembly and a hole drilling assembly. Suitable power means are provided for rotating the drum of the drum assembly at desired speeds, as are interrelating parts and elements for operatively interrelating said assemblies.

Another object is to provide a novel method of shortening a layout in one direction, as the drawing layout for a rotary die, which is accurate and highly effective for the intended purpose, relatively fast in achieving the end objective, simple and readily used with minimum instruction, versatile in application, relatively inexpensive, and otherwise adapted to fulfill the objects and advantages sought therefor.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a novel printing machine for shortening a drawing layout for a rotary die, which is accurate and highly effective for the intended purpose, relatively fast in achieving the end objective, simple and readily used with minimum instruction, versatile in application, relatively inexpensive, and otherwise adapted to fulfill the objects and advantages sought therefor.

Further objects are to provide a novel machine for shortening a layout as aforesaid which incorporates a novel drilling structure cooperative therewith adapted to effectively, accurately and inexpensively establish drilling hole positions required for mounting the die upon a cylindrical support for die cutting.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a printing machine incorporating the principles of the present invention with the drill bar assembly shown in down position for drilling a pattern of holes into plywood semicircular half sections, the latter being shown in broken lines, the lamp assembly being locked in raised position (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1, the front vertical standards of the machine being shown in horizontal cross-section (Sheet 2);

FIGURE 3 is a right side elevational view, the lamp assembly being shown in broken lines in a descending intermediate position (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 4 is a left side elevational view with the lamp assembly in lowered operative position, and the drill bar assembly in locked inoperative position (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIGURE 4 on an enlarged scale (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 6 is a view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIGURE 4, showing the drill bar assembly locked in its inoperative position, and suggesting in broken lines its descending action to operative position (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIGURE 1 (Sheet 2); I

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the rear right end portion of FIGURE 2, the pivotally mounted cam bar being shown in a moved position (Sheet 2);

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the indexing mechanism appearing in FIGURE 1 at the right of the drum assembly (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 11 is a vertical sectional view on the lines 11-11 of FIGURE (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the forward or lower right-hand portion of FIGURE 2 (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 1313 of FIGURE 12 (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 14 is a vertical sectional view on the line 1414 of FIGURE 13 (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 1515 of FIGURE 12 (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 16-16 of FIGURE 12 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 17--17 of FIGURE 12 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 18 is a vertical sectional view on the line 1818 of FIGURE 9 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged partly sectional view of the drum or cylinder clutch end construction, shown as removed from 'the machine and without the drive chain (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 20 is a further enlarged vertical sectional view of the clutch mechanism (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 21 is a further enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 21-21 of FIGURE 20 (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 22 is a top plan view of a portion of the cylinder shaft per se (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 23 is an enlarged partly sectional view of the drum or cylinder end construction opposite that of FIGURE 19, shown removed from the machine (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 24 is a right end elevational view of FIGURE 23 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 25 is a front elevational view of the lamp housing, the central portion broken away, for space conservation (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 26 is a bottom plan view of the left-hand portion of FIGURE 25, particularly showing the end-toend narrow light slit (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 27 is a sectional view on the line 2727 of FIGURE 25 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 28 is a view of a companion pair of arcuate (almost semicircular) plywood sections, one or both of which will become rule supports (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 29 is a right end view of FIGURE 28, the gaps between the sections being exaggerated considering the scale of FIGURES 28 and 29 (Sheet 5) FIGURE 30 is a vertical sectional view of the cylinder or drum with the drill bar disposed thereabove in position for drilling a hole through one of the arcuate plywood segments (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 31 is a view generally similar to FIGURE 30, illustrating headed screws securing the two plywood sections to the drum by threaded holes in the drum and countersunk holes in the plywood (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 32 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIGURE 31 (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 33 is a broken front elevational view of the drum with plywood sections secured thereto, the broken lines designating sheets of printing paper applied as by glue to several of the plywood sections (Sheet 5);

FIGURE 34 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the diameter relationship of several parts of the machine (Sheet 6);

FIGURE 35 is a top plan view of an exemplary layout or die drawing whereon the centers of holes to be drilled are indicated by crosses, and tiny circles indicate holes to be drilled for the start of saw cuts represented by the straight lines (Sheet 6);

FIGURE 36 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the machine action, some included elements being shown in vertical section in the interest of clarity (Sheet 6); and

FIGURE 37 is a diagram disclosing the basic concept of the present novel method of shortening a layout, that is, transferring a drawing laid out on a flat sheet onto another sensitive surface in consequence of lamp rays directed against successive narrow portions of said drawing toward said sensitive surface, as the sheet travels at a predetermined greater rate of speed than that of the therebeneath disposed sensitive surface, both traveling in the same direction (Sheet 6).

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 40 indicates generally a printing machine incorporating the teachings of the present invention. Broadly, the printing machine 40 includes a table 42, a compensator assembly 44 disposed thereon, a drum assembly 46, a light assembly 48, a hole drilling assembly 50, and interconnecting parts and elements.

The table 42 includes a top 55, spaced rear legs 56, front legs 57 and 58 which extend substantially above the level of the top '55, and suitable bracing elements 59, which are secured together by Welding, bolts, or the like. The legs 56, 57, and 58 are formed of angle iron members for convenience in mounting assemblies and elements of the machine 40.

Operatively disposed on the table 42 is the compensator assembly 44 which comprises a front bar 62, a rear bar 63, and a central or intermediate bar 64, the bars 62 and 64 being connected by spaced members 65 and the bars 63 and 64 being connected by spaced members 66 (FIG- URES 2 and 12-18). Each of the members 65 is secured by suitable bolts 68 to the bar 62 and includes a diagonally disposed slot 69 in which is disposed a wheel 70 rotatably mounted on the central bar 64. Similarly, the two elements or plates 66 are secured by bolts 72 to the rear bar 63 and include diagonal slots 73 in which is disposed a wheel 74 rotatably mounted on the central bar 64. Disposed .on and near each end of the front bar 62 and the rear bar 63 is a block member 76 which supports a short extension member 75, both being secured to said respective bars 62 and 63 by bolts 77 (FIGS. 13 and 15). Supported at the free end of each extension member 75 in depending relation is a pivotally mounted roller 78, which bear sagainst the respective spaced parallel strips 79 and 80 screwed or otherwise secured to the table top 55. With reference to FIGURES 12 and 13, between each block 76 and roller 78 of the rear bar 63 is a block 82 which depends from and is secured to the extension member 75 by screws or the like and which receives the substantially abutting ends of a belt 83 through screws 84 or the like. The compensator assembly 44 moves along the table top 55 between the strips 79 and 80 through the medium .of the spaced belts 83 which are driven by the drum assembly 46, as is described below. Secured to the end of the intermediate member 64 adjacent and between the extension members 75 by suitable blots 86 is an extension piece 87 having tamdem slots 8, in each of which is adjustably rotatably secured in depending relation a roller 89 (FIGS. 2, 12 and 16). The rollers 89 are disposed on each side of a longitudinally extending bar 90 which is pivotally adjustable by means of a pivotal mount 91 secured to the table top 55. At the rear end of the bar 90 is a longitudinal slot 92 receiving a bolt unit 93 which is mounted in a transverse slot 94. Similarly, at the forward end of the bar 90 is a longitudinal slot 92 which receives a bolt unit 93 mounted in a transverse slot 94 in the table top 55. When it is desired to pivot the bar 90 about its pivot point 91, the units 93 are loosened and then retightened after the adjustment is accomplished. At the forward end of the bar 90 is a pointer 95 which cooperates with a scale 96 screwed to the table top 55 (FIGS. 2 and 12). The scale 96 is calibrated to provide the necessary percentage .of circumferential shortening required, which will depend upon the radius differential of the supporting arcuate base and the cutting rule. It is clear that the bar 90 can be pivoted at the rear bolt unit 93, but this requires a wider table space rendered unnecessary by use of the central pivotal mount 91.

It will be noted from the foregoing description of the compensator assembly 44, taken with the drawings, that, with the bar 90 in the position of FIGURES 2 and 12, as the tapes 83 are actuated, the front bar 62 moves faster upwardly or rearwardly on the table top 55, considering FIGURE 2, than does the rear bar 63, since the intermediate bar 64, as it moves to the left under the influence of the angularly disposed bar 90, through the elements 65, 66, their slots 69, 73 and the rollers 70, 74, gradually draws itself closer to the rear bar 63 and simultaneously the front bar 62 closer to the center bar 64. The cumulative effect of this action is to move the front bar 62 at a predetermined faster rate than the rear bar 63. The speed of the compensator assembly 44 is determined by the position of the bar 90'. Further considera tion of the compensator assembly 44 is included infra.

The drum assembly 46 is mounted on the forward end of the table 42, as is clear from FIGURES l-4. The drum assembly 46 includes a cylinder 100, to the left end of which is secured by suitable bolts 101 a disk member 102 having a belt track 103 around the periphery thereof which receives one belt 83 (FIG. 19). The radius of this belt track 103 is greater than the radius of the drum 100 and of the outer radius of any arcuate plywood segments to be employed on the drum 100. A little inwardly of the disk member 102 is a disk 104 welded to the interior of the cylinder 100. Extending through an aperture centrally in the disk 104 and welded thereto is a stub shaft 105 which extends outwardly through an aligned opening in the disk member 102 and is supported in a bearing block 106 secured by suitable bolts to the table leg 58. Similarly, the right-hand end of the cylinder 100 has a disk member 102 secured thereto by suitable bolts 101, the disk member 102 having a belt track 103 around the periphery thereof which receives the other belt 83 (FIG. 23). If desired to effect a positive relation between the belts 83 and belt tracks 103, pins may be mounted as spaced at 90 in the track 103 and suitable apertures made in the belts 83 spaced to negage the pins. A disk 104 spaced at little inwardly of the disk member 102 is welded interiorly to the cylinder 100. A stub shaft 105 extends through a central opening in the disk 104 and is welded thereto, the stub shaft 105 extending through an opening in the disk member 102 and being supported by a bearing block 106 bolted to the table leg 57 (FIG. 1). Spaced idler pulleys 107 rotatably supported on brackets 108 bolted or otherwise secured to the table legs 56 receive the rear ends of the belts 83.

Referring further to the compensator assembly 44 (FIGS. 2 and 12-1'7), it will be noted that this assembly 44 moves as a solid block, in effect, when the bar 90 is parallel to the strip 80 extending longitudinally of the table top 55. In this position of the bar 90, the pointer 95 will be about the middle of the scale 96, viewing FIGURES 2 and 12. Manifestly, in this relationship of parts with the compensator assembly 44 ineffective, the greater speed of a sheet of tracing paper attached to the assembly 44 over that of a sheet of printing paper adhered to an arcuate plywood segment 109 mounted on the drum 100 is attributable to the greater radius of the belt track 103 over the radius of the segment 109, as is shown in FIGURE 34. When the bar 90 is at its extreme left position with the pointer 95 at the left limit of the scale 96, the compensator assembly 44 is effective to move a sheet of tracing paper at the same speed as a sheet .of printing paper on the arcuate segment 109. It will be understood,

' of course, that the assembly 44 separates as to bars 62, 63

and 64 in positions of the bar 90 to the left of its said parallel position in its action in reducing its effective speed and the speed of a sheet of tracing paper. The compensator assembly 44, of course, may take other forms than that illustrated.

To the free end of the left-hand stub shaft 105 is secured a clutch mechanism 110 (FIGS. 4 and 19-22).

This end of the stub shaft is formed as clearly shown in FIGURES 20-22, including a reduced hub 112 and a further reduced threaded extremity 113. In the circumference of the main body of the stub shaft 105 adjacent the hub 112 is a slot 114, and extending into the outer end of the bu b 112 is a well 115. The clutch includes a drive disk 116 mounted on the hub 112. A drive dog 117 is secured in the drive disk 116 and and extends laterally into the slot 114, locking the drive disk 116 to the stub shaft 105 which is secured to the drum 100 for rotation therewith. Outwardly of the drive disk 116 is a second disk 118 mounted on the inner end of the extremity 113. A pin 119 is secured in the second disk 118 and extends laterally into the well in the hub 112 to prevent undesirable locking rotation of the second disk 118 when the drum 100 is being manually rotated. Threaded onto the threaded extremity 113 is a large wing-type nut 120. Between the disks 116 and 118 is a driven sprocket 121, which is freely rotatable on the hub 112. It is manifest that when the wing nut 120 is tightened, the clutch 110 frictionally locks the sprocket 121 to the drum 100, so that the latter is rotated by the former. When the wing nut 120 is loosened, the sprocket 121 idles, so that the drum 100 can be hand turned.

A small sprocket 125 is mounted beneath the sprocket 121 on a stub shaft 126 mounted in a bearing block 127 bolted or otherwise secured to the table leg 58 (FIGS. 1 and 4). A chain 128 is trained about the sprockets 121 and 125. Also mounted on the stub shaft 126 is a second sprocket 129 which is aligned with a sprocket 130 secured to the rotor of a small fractional horsepower motor 131, as a one r.p.m. gearhead motor, mounted on a plate 132 bolted or otherwise secured to the table leg 58 (FIGS. 3 and 8). A chain 133 is trained about the sprockets 129 and 130. It is manifest from the foregoing that the cylinder 100 is rotated by the motor 131 through the several sprockets and chains just described, and the clutch 110. In a preferred structure, this speed is substantially one revolution of the cylinder 100 in twenty minutes, about three inches linear travel per minute. The speed will vary with temperature, light, printing paper, moisture, etc., but adjustment is no problem. By loosening the clutch 110, the cylinder 100 is freed from the power train and can be manually rotated, as is necessary on occasion for alignment purposes, or the like. A double on-and-olf switch 135, having the usual connection to a power source, has one toggle unit operatively connected to the motor 131 and the other operatively connected to the high assembly 48. It is mounted in a convenient location, as at one side of the table 42 (FIG. 4).

The disk member 102 at the right end of the cylinder 100 has a ring of apertures 140, there being a letter in association with each, as is clear from FIGURES 23 and 24. Associated with the said disk member 102 is an indexing latch 141 illustrated in released position in FIG URES l0 and 11. The latch 141 includes a plate 142 and a block 143 secured to the table leg 57 by suitable screws 144, the block 143 having an opening therethrough receiving a plunger 145 adapted to extend into a selected opening in one position of movement thereof. The plunger has a knob 146 at one end and spaced inwardly therefrom a right angularly extending pin 147 which extends into a U-shaped slot 148 in the plate 142, as is clear from FIGURE 10. In FIGURE 10, the pin 147 is about to be moved into the right-hand leg of the slot 148, which will retain the plunger 145 in released position and permit the cylinder 100 to be rotated. When the plunger 145 is moved to the left after rotation out of the right leg of the U-slot 148 and then rotated into the left-hand leg of the U-slot 148', the cylinder 100 will be connected to the table leg 57 against movement. This indexing of the cylinder 100 is required in the positioning thereof for drilling of mounting holes in arcuate plywood and the like supports for rules.

The cylinder 100 includes a plurality of equally spaced rings of apertures 150, which are referred to below in connection with a detailed description of the hole drilling assembly 50.

The light assembly 48 includes a housing 155 of the configuration shown in FIGURES 25-27. A narrow slot 156, formed by resilient flaps 154 secured to the housing 155, is provided through which passes light from a tube 157 mounted in the housing 155 by the use of supports 158. A reflector 159 is provided for the light 157 to eflect greater concentration thereof through the slot 156. Secured to each end of the housing 155 is a bracket 161, each of which is secured to one end of an arm 162 (FIGS. 1 and 7). The arms 162 are pivotally mounted adjacent the'upper ends of the table legs 57 and 58 by means of bolts 163 and a horizontal tube 164 for movement from the inoperative upraised position of FIG- URE 1 to the lowered operative position of FIGURE 4. A small plate 166 is secured to each arm 1'62 and a removable plunger 167 engageable in an opening in the table legs 57 and 58 maintain the light assembly 48 in the raised inoperative position of FIGURE 7. Similarly, a plate 169 secured to each arm 162 and a movable plunger 170 lock the light assembly 48 in the operative position of FIGURE 4.

In a simplified embodiment for achieving the objects of the present invention, there may be provided a drum 100 and disk members 102, or the like, at the ends thereof mounted for rotation as a unit. A sensitive paper may be secured on the drum, directly or through arcuate segments described infra. A layout may be mounted on the disk members 102 to move therewith for such segment as may be desired, spaced from the sensitive paper the diiferenoe of the radii of the drum 100 and the disk members 102. A light source, as the light assembly 48, but having a narrow confined beam, is mounted transversely in position against the layout, effective on a transverse line. Support may be provided for the layout at the area of engagement of the light source, as required to keep the layout spaced the predetermined distance from the sensitive paper to maintain the selected linear speed differential of the peripheries.

The foregoing structure may be elaborated, as, for example, to provide for enlargement of the disk members 102 or contraction of the drum 100 to vary the modified reproduction.

The hole drilling assembly 50 includes an elongated angle bar 175, which is pivotally mounted above the cylinder 100 through angle members 176 bolted to each end thereof pivotally mounted by a bolt 177 on the table legs 57 and 58 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8). A removable pin 178 cooperates with upper and lower apertures in the table legs 57 and 58 and an aperture 179 in the bracket member 176 to maintain the hole drilling assembly 50 in selected upper or lower position. As is clear from FIGURES 1 and 8, drilling bushings or guide sleeves 180 are removably mounted in one flange of the angle bar 175, above each of which on the other flange is an identifying number, as 1 through 16 illustrated in FIGURE 1. There, of course, may be more or less bushings 180, depending upon the size of the machine. It is to be understood that the numbers and the letters are employed in properly indexing the cylinder 100 and its supported workpiece for a hole drilling operation.

In FIGURE 30, the angle bar 175 is positioned with a bushing 180 disposed above the cylinder 100 and a plywood segment 182 mounted thereon in position for boring a mounting hole therethrough by means of a diagrammatically indicated drill 183.

In FIGURES 31-33, two arcuate segments 185 and 186 are illustrated as mounted on the cylinder 100 by flatheaded countersunk screws 187. In FIGURE 33, the broken lines indicate light sensitive paper 188 glued or otherwise secured to the arcuate segment 185 and the lefthand portion of the arcuat segment 186.

Referring to FIGURE 35, there is illustrated an example of a layout or a rotary die pattern which comprises a drawing generally designated 192. On the drawing 192, the crosses indicate centers of holes to be drilled through an arcuate support for a rotary die through which suitable bolts will be passed for securing the support to the cylinder or drum of a rotary die cutting machine. The small circles indicate points for holes to be drilled for starting saw cuts to receive rules, the latter being represented by the straight lines. There, of course, may be curved lines.

In FIGURE 36, there is diagrammatically illustrated the relationship of selected parts in the method of circumferentially shortening a layout. A drawing 192, or the like, is removably secured to the front cross bar 62 of the compensator assembly 44 by adhesive tape 193, or other means. The light assembly 48 is shown in operative position with the flaps 154 snugly engaging the drawing 192 so that the light will effect transfer of the markings of the drawing 192 onto the sensitive paper 188 glued or otherwise evenly secured to the arcuate supports 185 and 1 86. As above explained, the front cross bar 62 is pulling the drawing 192 at a rate selectively slightly greater than the rate of rotation of the sensitive paper 185, or the like. This relative movement of the drawing 192 in respect to the sensitive paper 18 8 may cause a very slight blur in some lines on the sensitive paper 188, but it is so minor as to be substantially unnoticea ble and it has no effect on the accuracy of the transferred printing. It will be noted that the cylinder is turned at a slow rate, as mentioned above. This permits operating personnel to complete other work while the machine 40 functions. An automatic shut-01f or alarm may be provided for the machine 40, if desired, which, of course, will stop the machine 40 when the particular job is complete or warn an attendant that the work is about to be completed.

In FIGURE 37 there is a further diagrammatic illustration of the novel method of circumferentially shortening a drawing for use in rotary die-cutting and other areas. It is to be understood that the tracing paper is moving at a speed predeterminately faster than the printing paper, being propelled by any means selected. The rotating speed of the printing paper and its supporting drum is determined as that achieving the best printing resu ts from the light source or other means elfecting transfer of the layout of the tracing paper to the printing paper.

It is, of course, to be understood that the light source and tracing could move, and the sensitive paper remain still, and at varying speeds. It is also to be understood that the relative speeds of tracing and printing paper can be varied from point to point to change the degree of shortening or lengthening during the production of a modified layout. Tracing paper includes master copy and any other suitable source to be shortened or lengthened.

It is clear from the foregoing description taken with the accompanying drawings that there have been provided a novel method and novel apparatus fulfilling the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent elements or steps, and rearrangement of parts,

or steps, which 'will be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. Mechanism for reproducing items from a master copy with selectively changed dimensions in one direction comprising, in combination, means for supporting a master copy to be so reproduced, means for moving a master copy on said supporting means, means for supporting a sensitive material in operative position in respect to a supported master copy, means for moving a sensitive material on said second supporting means, means for moving said first moving means and said second moving means at selectively difierent speeds, and means for reproducing items of a supported master copy on a supported sensitive material selectively modified in the direction of movement as said first supporting means and said second supporting means are moving, said master copy supporting means comprising a table and said means for moving a master copy comprising a compensator assembly to which a master copy is adapted to be attached, said compensator assembly including relatively movable parts adapted to move a master copy linearly at a speed predeterminately diiferent from the linear speed of the sensitive material, said compensator assembly including lead, middle and trailing transverse tandem bars spaced apart in the direction of movement, means connecting said bars and operatively associated therewith effective to close uniformly the space between lead and middle bars and the space between middle and trailing bars as the compensator is moved, the trailing bar being adapted for attachment thereto of a master copy, and means for moving the compensator.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said compensator assembly includes means for adjusting the speed of closing of the bars.

3. Mechanism for reproducing items from a master copy with selectively changed dimensions in one direction comprising, in combination, means for supporting a master copy to be so reproduced, means for moving a master copy on said supporting means, means for supporting a sensitive material in operative position in respect to a supported master copy, means for moving a sensitive material on said second supporting means, means for moving said first moving means and said second moving means at selectively different speeds, and means for reproducing items of a supported master copy on a supported sensitive material selectively modified in the direction of movement as said first supporting means and said second supporting means are moving, said master copy supporting means comprising a table and said means for moving a master copy comprising a compensator assembly to which a master copy is adapted to be attached, said compensator assembly including relatively movable parts adapted to move a master copy linearly at a speed predeterminately different from the linear speed of the sensitive material, said means for supporting a sensitive material including a drum on which such sensitive paper is mounted, a master copy being adapted to be drawn across said drum and in engagement with a sensitive material thereon, said reproducing means being disposed against a master copy in the drum area and effective on a thin transverse line.

4. The combination of claim 3 including means mounting said reproducing means for movement into and out of operative position.

5. Mechanism for reproducing items from a layout with selectively changed dimensions in one direction comprising a cylinder adapted to receive a sensitive paper, an annular member at each end of said cylinder of predeterminately greater radius than said cylinder, means for mounting a layout on said annular members for movement therewith at a linear speed equal to that of the peripheries thereof, a medium operatively mounted adjacent a layout so mounted adapted to beam sharply through a layout to a sensitive paper on said cylinder While such layout is supported in spaced relation to such sensitive paper a distance substantially equal to the difference in radii of the drum and annular members, and means for rotating said drum and annular members as a unit.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which said medium is effective as and on a transverse line in reproducing the items of a layout as aforesaid.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which said medium is a light.

8. The combination of claim 3 and including means for mounting an arcuate plywood segment on said drum adapted to receive sensitive material, means for establishing operative mounting hole locations in said segment, and means for guiding a drill in drilling such holes, said guiding means being movable into and out of operative position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,176,384 3/1916 Lotka 9573 X 3,126,809 3/1964 Adams et al 95 3,158,077 11/1964 Miller et al 73 3,307,465 3/1967 Adair 9577.5 3,309,959 3/ 1967 Rondthaler et a1.

3,361,047 1/1968 Breuers 9577.5 3,374,724 3/1968 Torres 95-73 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner R L. MOSES, Assistant Examiner 

